The Protective Warrior

by Cami Checketts

  Brad told the waitress to bring them an order of stuffed mushrooms and a bottle of cabernet.

  “I’ll just have water, please,” MacKenzie said, trying to relax in the black vinyl seat, but not feeling completely comfortable with this guy. She’d wanted to protect him when he’d gotten hurt, but had gone with him afterward mostly to tick Isaac off. Now she was questioning her decision. Trusting someone unknown didn’t used to be this scary. Curse Solomon Squire for disturbing every part of her life.

  Brad frowned, but his smile was quick to return. “Not a drinker?”

  “Not really.” As an elite athlete she didn’t usually drink and now she wanted to be in control all the time in case Squire found her and she had to disappear quickly.

  “Where are you from?” Brad asked.

  “California,” MacKenzie was quick to lie. She’d decided to use a story similar to her friend, Maryn, for her background. It made it easier to lie when the story was familiar. She knew hiding from the FBI wasn’t smart, but she didn’t know if Tureen had been the only agent that had sold out to Squire. She felt safer in this out of the way valley than in FBI custody until Squire was caught. She checked online every night to see if that miracle had happened and she could go home.

  “Are you and Haley … close friends?” Brad studied her carefully.

  “We went to girl’s camp together, but haven’t been as close as adults. Keep up on Facebook and Friend Zone. I was excited to come help her before the wedding,” she added hastily lest he think it odd that she was here visiting if they weren’t close friends.

  Brad reclined into his chair. “Well, I hope you and I can be close friends.”

  His fingers brushed over hers. MacKenzie pulled back and gave him a stiff smile. Thankfully, the waitress returned with the spectacular-looking mushrooms and a basket of crusty bread with herb butter. One bite of the rich, buttery appetizer, she was almost glad Isaac had hit Brad and convinced her to go to dinner with the man. Plus, now she knew exactly what Isaac was like. She’d stay far away from him.

  4

  Isaac banged his way into his fifth-wheel trailer. The short drive from town to the ranch and working for an hour on his metal work art hadn’t calmed him. All he’d done was make a mess of some custom orders. He finally quit work and tried to find something decent for dinner in his small fridge.

  He hated Brad Hall with every ounce of his body. Now Isaac had made himself look like an out-of-control jerk in front of MacKenzie and she was going to fall for Brad’s tricks. He couldn’t allow that to happen, and not just because he wanted to be the one taking her to dinner. He wouldn’t let another woman he cared about be taken advantage of by that loser.

  A loud knock reverberated throughout the trailer. Isaac glanced out his window and sighed when he saw the cop car. “Just my luck.”

  He swung the door open and nodded to his friend, Joshua. “Captain Crusie.”

  Josh held out a ticket, his brown eyes sober. “Why’d you hit him this time?”

  Isaac took the ticket and grimaced. Five-hundred dollars. That was going to dip into his savings for his land and shop. Land was just too expensive in Crested Butte now. Maybe he should focus on buying in Gunnison instead. That would really tick his dad off.

  He pushed a hand through his hair. It needed a cut, the curls were getting out of control. “He hit on my sister’s friend.”

  Josh nodded. “The girl working at Sugar ‘n Spice?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’ll watch out for her.”

  “That’s what I was trying to do.” Something flared in him. A primal instinct of protection and desire. He needed to be the one watching out for MacKenzie. If he could just convince her he was the good guy here, maybe she would trust him and learn to like him.

  “I know, but you get fines when you try to watch out for women.” He pointed to the ticket in Isaac’s hand and shook his head. “Change is happening, bro, but it’s not going to be fast.”

  Isaac arched an eyebrow. “You’re willing to risk your job to help this town escape the oppression of the Hall family?”

  Josh elevated his shoulders. “I’m doing what I can. The Sheriff is up for election this year and they’ve talked Mason into running.”

  “He’s a good man.”

  “Most of the police department isn’t bowing to the Hall’s demands anymore and your brother-in-law buying One Hill Resort and dumping money into some businesses is helping as well. They realize with all the new money coming in, we don’t have to rely on the Halls for financial support in this town.”

  His future brother-in-law, Cal, was a great guy and had taken an interest in the town for Haley’s sake, but unfortunately hadn’t run Brad and his dad out of business or politics yet. Most of the new money in the valley cared little about local politics since they were buying property for second or third homes. They didn’t care who ran the town as long as the snow was good for skiing.

  “I hope you’re right, but why am I the one getting a ticket?” While the scumbag is at dinner with the beautiful lady? He restrained himself from asking that as he held up the piece of paper.

  “You can’t just haul off and punch somebody, especially when it isn’t the first time you’ve done it.”

  Isaac’s shoulders rounded. He needed to control his temper, which oddly only manifested itself when Brad showed up. Yet he wasn’t going to allow Brad to hurt MacKenzie the way he’d hurt his sister, Haley.

  “I talked Sheriff Ono out of jail time and down to the lower fine.”

  Isaac shook his friend’s hand. “Thanks.”

  “How’s the welding art coming?”

  Isaac smiled. “Good, I’ve got a lot of special orders and have sold out of almost everything online and at Haley’s store. I just need time to work more and to be able to invest in marketing, plus a place of my own.”

  “Why don’t you just have your brother-in-law spot you some money?”

  “A man’s got to have some pride.” No way was he begging Cal and Haley for money so he could succeed at his dreams and find his independence in the process. He’d keep working hard and dreaming reasonable and someday he’d be a success and prove to this town and his father that he wasn’t just a ranch hand.

  “There’s a limit to the amount of pride one man needs.” Josh chuckled and walked away.

  Isaac watched him go then set the ticket on the counter and went to his shop. Dinner would have to wait. Maybe he could work away the worry that Brad was going to hurt MacKenzie. She’d made it more than obvious she didn’t want Isaac’s help, but what could he do to protect her? He dialed Haley’s number. If anyone could warn MacKenzie away from that loser, Haley could.

  MacKenzie pulled into the driveway of Haley’s house in the beat up car she’d found some farmer selling on the edge of his property. The car had been a steal at five hundred dollars, and had survived the thirteen-hundred mile drive from Ohio to Colorado.

  Dinner with Brad had turned out to be fun, though it had lasted a lot longer than she would’ve liked. She was more than ready to put up her feet and relax with one of the latest football romance novels by Taylor Hart she’d seen on Haley’s bookshelf.

  Haley’s house was a darling cottage-style, decorated to the hilt, not surprising considering Haley owned a home décor store. MacKenzie liked things clean and orderly, which was a struggle as a school teacher of adorable but rowdy second graders. She sometimes wondered if she had sensory overload and the disorder was getting worse as she watched over her shoulder for Squire and prayed no one was tracking her. She wouldn’t have minded more sparse decorations, but wasn’t going to mess with anything in the house. Haley’s generosity was literally saving her life.

  She opened the door of the 1998 Accord, wincing at the squeak. She’d have to buy some WD40 and hope that would fix it. She wasn’t bad with the basics under the hood. After raising three girls in Lake Forest, a northern suburb of Chicago, her dad decided the youngest should at least know how to change a tire
and her oil. She missed her parents and older sisters and wished she dared contact them, they were probably going nuts worrying, but that would be one of the first places that Solomon Squire would look.

  She didn’t hold out a lot of hope that Squire would be arrested soon. The FBI had been trying to capture him and his brother for years. They were slippery, ruthless, well-connected, and wealthy. Horrible combination for criminals.

  Trudging her way to the front porch, she spied a shadow next to Isaac’s shop. A scream escaped before she could rein it in and she cursed herself for alerting the person to her position. No, no, no!

  MacKenzie spun and doubled back to the car at a full sprint. Briefly, she wondered if she should run to Isaac’s trailer or Haley’s dad, Trevor’s, rambler. Haley’s house was right between the two, but escaping alone was smarter than putting anyone else in danger. But even if she could escape, where would she go now? Despair overwhelmed her.

  She gasped for air, her limbs prickling from terror. The image of being tortured then killed like the man she’d seen die was suffocating. A hand wrapped around her arm and she didn’t hold back the scream this time, “Help! Please, somebody help!” she gasped out. It was wrong to involve Haley’s family in her nightmare, but Isaac seemed more than capable and strong, and in her fear she just wanted someone to help.

  The man tried to drag her to a stop, but she kept plowing toward her car in desperation, straining to break his grip. The car was feet away.

  “MacKenzie. It’s me. I’m not going to hurt you.” Isaac’s voice penetrated through her fear.

  She stopped struggling and glanced up into his vibrant green eyes. “Isaac?” she whimpered. Before she knew what she was doing, she’d flung herself against his chest. “Oh, thank heavens. Oh, thank you, Lord.” She closed her eyes and repeated prayers of gratitude out loud and internally.

  When she calmed down a little bit and stopped praying, she realized Isaac’s brawny arms had encircled her and her cheek was pressed against his bulging chest muscles. He smelled like metal, musk, and man. Oh, yum. Her heart began to race from a completely different reason than fear. It took almost a full minute for her to gain control enough to pull away out of sheer embarrassment. This was Isaac. Haley’s annoying older brother who didn’t even remember he was her first kiss.

  Her eyes narrowed as she stared him down or rather up. “How, why, I mean, what were you thinking?”

  His brow wrinkled. “I’m sorry I chased you, I didn’t mean to scare you, but wow, MacKenzie, what is going on? I’ve never seen someone that scared before.”

  MacKenzie’s face flared. She couldn’t tell him why she was scared and luckily the righteous indignation gave her the fuel she needed. “I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about how you dared to tell Brad that we’re engaged!” She folded her arms across her chest. Better to redirect than tell him why she was running.

  Of course, the cocky jerk didn’t back away or even look embarrassed. He moved closer into her personal space. “Brad Hall is bad news. I can’t allow you near him.”

  “Can’t allow?” She gave a sarcastic laugh. “You have no right to tell me who to be near or to punch someone because I might like them.”

  “You don’t, do you?” Isaac’s handsome features twisted in concern.

  “Don’t what?” She gritted her teeth and then arched her eyebrows at him.

  “Like him,” Isaac roared.

  MacKenzie was tall, but Isaac had her by half a foot. She arched her head back, refusing to step away and give him the satisfaction that he intimidated her. Somehow she knew he would never hurt her, but she didn’t appreciate being talked down to like this. And why did she keep getting whiffs of his manly scent and noticing how nicely his biceps were formed? Ooh, that made her almost as mad at herself as she was at him.

  “Maybe I do like him,” she taunted. It would serve the big oaf right if she felt something that he obviously didn’t want her to feel. This wasn’t about Brad at all. It was about putting Isaac in his place.

  “No.” Isaac exhaled loudly. “You can’t. Please, listen to me.” He wrapped both hands around her upper arms. It wasn’t enough pressure to hurt her or keep her from moving out of his grip, but the warmth of those large hands seared through her and her stomach took flight. “Brad is a manipulative liar. If you don’t believe me, ask Haley. Did she call you?”

  MacKenzie was disgusted at her body’s natural reaction to this man. It was all she could do to keep from leaning into him again.

  She’d turned her phone to silent after Haley had tried to call her twice during dessert. “It’s none of your business if I date Brad, or if Haley calls me, and I’ll thank you to never tell someone that you and I are engaged. We aren’t even friends for heaven’s sake.”

  Isaac’s entire body stilled. He simply stared at her with those too-green eyes and Haley swayed under his spell. Those eyes must be like snake eyes that could charm a woman and make her obey his every command. His hands gently rubbed up and down her arms and his voice went low and soft, “I wish we were friends, MacKenzie. You don’t know how I’ve wished for that.”

  MacKenzie was spellbound by his look and the soft touch of his hands for a few delicious seconds. “But, we-we’re, um, not friends,” she whispered, stuttering all over herself.

  “I think you’d like being friends with me.” Isaac bent closer. His eyes flickered down to her lips before returning to her eyes and his warm hands worked their way up her arms across her shoulders and down to her back, making her tremble. He gently pulled her in. Any fear or worry she’d had evaporated. His touch brought safety, excitement, and heady desire.

  “Uh … what?” MacKenzie’s mind had turned to mush while her body had turned to fire. What was he doing to her?

  “Friends?” He lowered his head until his mouth was inches away.

  MacKenzie’s heart slammed against her chest. She panted for air. He grinned slightly then his lips touched hers and everything in her calmed as if Isaac was where she should be centered and he was the person who could protect and love her. Then her body responded and she went on tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck. The kiss became electric. Her heart took off at a sprint and every nerve seemed to tingle with happy receptors working overtime.

  Isaac’s hands worked their way around to frame her face while she clung to his muscular back. A small moan escaped her. He tilted her face and took his time slowing down the kiss and wiping all rational thought from her mind.

  Isaac broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “I think I’m going to like being friends with you.” He gave her that cocky grin that drew her in and infuriated her at the same time.

  MacKenzie’s chest heaved. She’d almost forgotten a kiss could be so invigorating, all-encompassing, heavenly. But no. This was Isaac. Infuriating, too-confident Isaac. She didn’t like him or the way he treated her. First, claiming she and her friends were gold diggers then lying about being engaged and punching people.

  Snapped back to a cold, dreary reality, she pulled away and his hands dropped from her face. “No, you’re not, because we aren’t friends and we definitely are not engaged.”

  His grin disappeared and she wished she could restore it, but that was wrong. He couldn’t just kiss her and claim they were friends. Besides, she didn’t go around kissing her friends, especially not like that. She touched a hand to her lips and depression set in at the thought of never experiencing Isaac’s kiss again.

  “And, and …” She tried to conjure up a threat to keep him from looking at her like a wounded puppy. “And I’m going to tell Haley exactly how big of a jerk you were tonight.” She stomped around him, face flaming at her immature words. Maybe being back here again was making her act like her fourteen year old self. She rushed up the porch steps, slamming the door on the way into her house.

  She dead-bolted the door and leaned against it for support. Heaven help her, she was attracted to Isaac. He wanted her to be friends. Friends with benefits sh
e couldn’t allow herself to indulge in daydreaming about. Oh, my. She should’ve been stronger. How could she have let him kiss her? She’d have to be more careful and stay far away from him. Brad Hall was safe. Isaac Turnbow was… No, no, no! He was a whole bucket full of no for her.

  MacKenzie checked every window and double-checked the deadbolts on the front and back doors before changing into some comfy sweats, locking herself in her bedroom, and checking the phone Haley had given her as part of the business arrangement. Haley had been so caught up in pre-marital bliss she hadn’t even asked where MacKenzie’s phone had disappeared to.

  She’d missed ten calls and seven texts from Haley. Instead of listening to the four voice mail messages she hit the callback button.

  “Oh, Kenzie, thank heavens. Please don’t tell me you were alone with Brad.”

  “It was just dinner at Marchetelli’s. Did Isaac tell you he punched him?”

  “Good!” The vehemence in sweet Haley’s voice shocked her. “I wish he could do worse than that to Brad.”

  “Whoa, wait a minute. Isaac is the one at fault here. He claimed that he and I were engaged.” Then he kissed the dickens out of me. That moment was not getting shared. At least not by her. She wondered if Isaac would tell Haley about their interactions today. Had the kiss affected him at all? Would he share it?

  “He did?” Haley whistled. “Isn’t he a sweetie? He was trying to protect you from Brad. Unless, maybe he had ulterior motives. I remember you two liking each other when you came to visit.”

  “Ten years ago! We definitely don’t like each other now.” Liked kissing each other, but that didn’t count.

  “Oh.” Haley’s voice fell. “That’s a bummer. No matter what, though, stay away from Brad.”

  “Why?”

  “He’s Taz’s father, Kenz.”

  “Oh, my.” MacKenzie didn’t know the whole story, but she knew Haley hated Taz’s father.